How to repair cracked and broken plastic on your motorcycle bodywork

[@AaronzDad]

I've been doing this for years. A few things I do differently: 1) Acetone seems to work just as well or better than MEK and isn't quite as dangerous or volatile. 2) I use a small pill bottle to mix up my slurry. The bottle is HDPE plastic so it won't melt from the acetone. I can just cap it off when I'm done and if it's dried out months later when I need it again I can simply add more acetone and wait a day or two for it to all melt down. 3) I dab acetone on the edges/surfaces to be joined keeping them wet for a couple minutes to soften up the plastic allowing the chemical melding to get a little deeper. I'll sometimes soak the patch piece in acetone to get it seriously melted and slimy before sticking it onto the part needing repair. I'll fold a small piece of aluminum foil into a shallow pan to make an acetone bath and keep adding a little as it evaporates off. Naturally this has to be done in a well-ventilated area. If I can get both the patch piece and the repair part soaked enough to make them slimy like a bar of soap left in the water too long then I don't even need the ABS cement as the melted plastic is it's own cement. 4) Lego blocks are ABS plastic and can make a fantastic structural patch/reinforcement. I used a 1x8 block (anyone familiar with Lego knows what I'm talking about) to patch the crack in the front fender next to the mounting bracket. That's a notorious problem for GL1800s with the little fender skirt attachment.

[@GoldwingDocs]

I've tried acetone as well, but MEK does seem to work better (and faster) - it's what ABS cement is based on as well. Excellent tips on pre-wetting the patch and the repair point to soften them up, and yes!! Lego is extremely high quality ABS, and comes in great colors too!

[@JohnCharter]

After watching a bunch of different methods, I like this most. Thank you.

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

Here in Australia, not too long ago you could buy Methyl Ethyl Ketone for plastics modelling in model shops. These days, straight MEK is no longer available to the public (because a lot of people prefer to sniff it) but because I work a lot with plastics, I now use simple Revell modelling glue which contains a proportion of MEK. Modellers use it primarily on polystyrene but this modelling glue will also work very well on ABS.

[@Acthungbaby]

Mek was stoped because bad news for people's health

[@djchopperd]

Thanks for the video, your voice is great, so no need to have background distracting music noise.

[@paidgigs]

Good info - intense music background bad.

[@hogsandsooners]

Best ABS repair video on KZbin. Thank you.

[@TheUnsungVil]

Great advice, I even had guys in the shop who took LEGO pieces and melted them before “ABS-welding” them to a repair spot. Lego makes high quality UV resistant plastics for nearly a century now. One thing though: Please wear protective gloves. That ABS cement (or any dissolvant agent for that matter) at best irritates the skin, at worst it might contain carcinogenic compounds.

[@jbuchan8114]

I recently used this on a hole in my rear top case, it worked perfectly. Thanks Scott

[@clarencewhynot4287]

This video helped me a lot and saved me a ton of money when my sidebag plastic broke around the hinge. The repair is holding up perfectly. Thanks.

[@thegaff1888]

I am going to try using this method to repair my right side panel. One of the pegs is broken off. Itll be a chore, but a fun one. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@GoldwingDocs]

Definitely! Some people have inserted a metal pin in the middle of the peg (Honda's name for these is "boss") for extra stability when re-mounting it to the cover.

[@stevengoldwingnomad5086]

Great video! I’m in the process of rebuilding my left side front fender mount! Quite a large piece, so I’ll try some ABS pipe split and flattened then molded under heat and bonded with ABS cement. Thanks for the info!

[@mbazzy123]

That was an amazing detailed repair. I had tried a plastic welder that was cured with UV light with no success, I will give the ABS method a try I have lots of plastic parts starting to crack on my GL1800 from removing for service proceedures over the years. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[@alfrednewcomb3380]

I really appreciate you taking time to fix the hole on the bullet chrome cover I have one that broke out had both bolts and parts of the chrome interface hole and I stopped and went back and found my coverage n d I have been trying to figure out how to fix it or buy new ones but I haven't seen or found the same kind but now praise the Lord for finding your channel out and I was just wondering through KZbin and run across you doing a oil check on how to check your oil on mark to mark again I say thank you so much and keep riding your motorcycle whatever kind because when you get our there going down the road and the wind blowing as you ride 😊 😀 It's nothing like it and I rode when I was 17 ,18,-20 then stop until 2018 I found 750 motorcycle Kawasaki 1992 and then about 6 months later I found 1994 Gl 1500 Goldwing and trailer 😀 and I started riding it again and I'm 67 yrs old and watching 👀 and the other Guys carefully and enjoying it as life goes on.. Ps. You are doing great keep it up . Reverend Alfred Newcomb

[@mattfoley4128]

This method worked unbelievably!!! I used it on a 94 zx-11 that had a cracked front nose cowl and a bracket on the rear that held a screw. I used acetone once and mek once. Both worked great. Thanks for the instruction!!!!!

[@anonimous2451]

Was already a Subber and constant visitor to GWdocs.........and I absolutely 💖'D that MEK trick. I was always frustrated with it setting up too fast and adding more glue just did not help much. This is my spam sign in cause .......u know why. I have another question I guess I will post it to the forum 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 YOUR CHANNEL and site. Thank You Scott........us ol' timers really do need your expertise sometimes........Cannot say just how much your contributions to the "ol wingers" help keep us on the road.

[@HankHill757]

Great info! For holes like that, if you could find ABS rod and bond that into the hole, you could then bore and drill it to the correct size without having to mess with molding the flat pieces.

[@2strokesmoke783]

Ive seen a few ways of fixing abs motorcycle plastics, and this is (imo) the best method to use.

[@GoldwingDocs]

It's definitely the strongest fix, and done right, pretty invisible.

[@davedutzik2679]

Genius! I had no idea what type of plastic was used to build my bike. I've used ABS for plumbing for decades and prefer it over PVC because of how it bonds but would've never thought to use it for a repair of this type. Great work, great video, great patience!!

[@robertmahaney2854]

Outstanding video, I do body and fender work and repair abs parts the same way, or use a plastic welder and iron with a flat steel pad

[@hemanR-one]

thank you somuch for your pointers, i m going to repair my RC51 fairings this winter.

[@Filmire]

Very well explained and demonstrated. Thanks for this. After a failed repair with epoxy on a plastic tab in my car, I went this route with much better results.

[@thomassireno4351]

This is a great video. I use this in plumbing. Letting us know the PVC cement being wrong is very important. I know guys that think there’s no difference. 🤓👍

[@gohachi5313]

This is really the best ABS repair video I have come across. I have become a subscriber.

[@freezerburn04]

Man thanks a ton for the how to tutorial. I for one was going about it all wrong just like you pointed out early in the vid. I'm all straightened out now. A++

[@6582rg]

Nice work. Your process can save a lot of money. Thanks for the content.

[@Acthungbaby]

Awsome i used use soldering iron and cross stich but fumes are bad 😀this is only video i seen with abs glue and plates

[@mikeremote8595]

This is Great! A suggestion for your videos. Practice looking directly into the camera lens. It looks a little odd as a viewer seeing your eyes looking off to the side at your monitor.

[@timbarnett3898]

Left bottom an rear of luggage box on 88 GW has long crack! I've made slurries from hacksaw pieces from ABS piece of pipe. Taking your advice an waiting over night. I'm now looking for right patch material, as per your instructions! Crack is accessible, but oddly shaped!

[@samuelbarber14]

Interesting video. I have a hole to repair in the lower fairing of my 85 LTD and I think I now know how to fix it. Thanks!

[@GeneralTsosChix]

Very nice. My GL1500 has a lot of damage from previous owner. So, I'm sure I'll be using some of these techniques. I know I will most definitely be putting my 3D printer to use in fab-ing up broken posts and pins, among other things. Thanks for sharing!

[@GoldwingDocs]

Make sure you use ABS filament, so you can bond it to the ABS in the bike using MEK or ABS cement.

[@allenh7835]

THANKS ! Just what i was looking for on chromed ABS plastic. The ONLY info i found !

[@badsanta518]

excellent video. I've been doing similar repairs with ABS using glass jars, acetone, and ABS material. The slurry will last a long time in a jar, so long as the acetone isn't allowed to gas off. I think any solvent would probably work just as well.

[@joehamer2086]

going to give it a try,can't go wrong following your video.Thanks

[@swpenn8108]

Abs 3d printer? Print repair Cap, weld plastic together with your ABS print bed glue. I've printed side cover pegs and affixed them this way. So far, so good...

[@phensriwood8081]

Just taken on a GL1500 resto, putting the plastics to one side while I sort the mechanical .

[@ACoustaDC]

This is a nice repair.... all the layers seemed a bit off over kill, but II get that you are making it "stronger". I am impressed with your presentation as well, very easy to understand, thank you!

[@tomweir3857]

Nice, I can use this. Just want to add, can use a holesaw to create a perfect round piece to adhere to top and then redrill

[@Goldwing1500rider]

Wow, that’s really Kwel!! Great to know !! Hope I don’t have to go that route. I could make something… LOL

[@patrickbrandon549]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Scott. I know making videos isn't as easy as some people might think. It was very informative and will prove to be useful for me and probably many others,

[@John_Ridley]

Another option for replacing missing bits is to 3D print them out of ABS. That would probably be my solution to your missing screw boss piece, that would be very easy to replicate. I'd probably make a piece that went all the way around the remaining boss all the way to the inside of the cover, then bond the whole thing.

[@michaelcharles476]

Great demonstration! I have an '87 Aspencade with a cracked trunk and lid that I'm going to try to repair with your method. Many thanks for posting this.

[@kyleRS87]

Did it work?

[@bradeinarsen]

Going to try this on my ST1100 fairing that has a broken tab

[@stevengrande2364]

Is there a way to repair fairing screw anchors that have broken off?

[@Ruleof2plus1]

Good advice and I have found fiberglass is not a good repair. ABS is a much better choice. I use 3M8115 panel bond adhesive only because I have this on hand and use it for most of my work.

[@bbbk53]

I followed the video and it worked great. Now i have a big question. Whuch exactly paint manufacturers use on the abs. Id like to have a gas resistant pain, but i am afraid to melt the plastics with 2k types of paints.

[@mattp9361]

Inside, where not visible, I use a soldering pen to melt and weld up cracks. It's not amazing but it does work well

[@christopherdevries1969]

This was very helpful 👍. Thank you.

[@caiomendes4799]

Thank you Scotty you are rocks.....

[@cactusstudiossouth]

Awesome! You're knowledge of motorcycle ABS is extraordinaire! Where can I get a couple of those pc and smal can of that glue? I have a repair that I need to make on the top of my suitcase on my trike?

[@GoldwingDocs]

Check out our tutorial here, we show all the products and sources for them: goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=54225

[@danielklinger4808]

Thanks for your video. You do a great job recording them. I was curious what is the best riding gloves for summer that you have discovered? Thanks, Dan

[@GoldwingDocs]

That's easy - you can dee them here: goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=37373

[@tripacer8259]

Very clever!

[@livetoridecando]

Great. Now I know how to fix my rear fender on the Shadow.

[@petersymons7817]

Thank you

[@fredjohnson688]

Good job sir

[@wilwashington1261]

How many days were you repairing curing before finishing?? Was it 2 weeks?🤔

[@ralphvalkenhoff2887]

Thank you for sharing

[@thegaff1888]

Did gl1100s also use abs?

[@corkyakins1519]

Great video Scott! I like the idea of drilling into sheet ABS to make the raw material for the slurry. I just happen to have about five 12x12 sheets of ABS, of various thicknesses to make some.

[@GoldwingDocs]

Technically you could just put chunks of ABS into MEK and eventually it would dissolve - but by using drilling shavings, you get thin pieces with maximum surface area, so it dissolves much faster. I do use large, coarse bits to do the drilling - you don't want shavings that are cut too fine, otherwise you end up shearing too many of the polymer chains that give ABS its strength.

[@thomassireno4351]

I have a question for Goldwing docs about a blank screen on a 2006 goldwing with GPS. The screen lights up and then goes to a dark blue. The screen is not damaged or burnt. Any Ideas???

[@rickdff62]

Great video. I have a side cover that one of the prongs broke on and I've always just glued it and of course, it never lasted. Now I know why! Can't wait to grab some of that ABS cement and fix it once and for all. Thanks!

[@dougwhetstone9392]

Thanks for the great idea. Would not have thought about that.

[@jshipley001]

Excellent! thanks.

[@Lisawski]

Thanks for your clear and practical video. Take care!!

[@freddyg6940]

This is Awesome 👏

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

Inside of my trunks on my 94 1500, pieces have broken and cracked where the 4 tiny bolts hold them to the frame. Can I just brush the abs cement over the pieces laying there and bolted there and it will melt it back together?? I like those small black pieces of ABS, Where can I get those? My trunks are just falling apart and I don't ride dirt or rough roads. Don't know why it is doing that since I bought it 3 years ago.I put my second set of new tires on the past few days and saw somewhere I thought on your site keeping the trunks all intact and removing the seat and flipping them all over on top. That worked great will all kinds of room, but when I went to line up the one bolt on each side to the cut out bracket that swings down in place, I could not line it up no matter what I tried. So I had to remove both side trunks to get access and pry and line them up again. Bad idea. More plastic broke in pieces. Just don't understand why the plastic has been cracking where the little bolts go. Thanks. Tim R.

[@GoldwingDocs]

It's extremely difficult to get them to line up when pulling the bags/trunk up like that to access the wheel, which is why I don't do it.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

@@GoldwingDocs I swore I saw that you supported that dumb idea. Anyway, I got out my harbor freight 80 watt plastic welding Iron and spent an hour or so and forgot I knew how to weld plastic. I have repaired all 3 bags inside and out like solid. The top trunk I had to use screen to patch over a big hole and then I just layed in a solid bead across the back inside of the trunk. I thought my trunks would fall off or into pieces. But now they are better than new and welded up heavy duty solid. :-Thanks. Thanks so much. 🙂 Tim R.

[@themotomotion]

Thanks for sharing!

[@viorelivanovici3248]

Thank you for this! Can't wait to try it out myself!

[@cerealtiller]

Please reassemble your Twist grip..it it Rocks back and fro when you blip the throttle..

[@GoldwingDocs]

Watch the beginning of this video for details on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6bXhKJ6Zr2kmaM

[@MPjustaman]

I love it.

[@samchisolm8713]

Good tip, thank you.

[@circuitdude1]

Please do a video on how to fix air suspension when it does not move with the buttons ...I changed the relay that you sell and that wasn't the problem Again how to fix rear air suspension???

[@GoldwingDocs]

Definitely post this question on the forum - we can help! goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

[@DrZaius]

Can you tell me the name of the song please?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

It doesn't have a name, it's just something I played on my synthesizers for half an hour or so to generate some background music for my videos.

[@DrZaius]

@@ScottsSynthStuff It's wonderful, cheers. Also great instructional video, it's a rare thing these days.

[@karendishman8946]

I have a gold wing 1500 when it gets hot it shuts down but starts after it cools what does it sound like to you?

[@virgilmobile1]

Visit goldwingdocs.com to help solve your problem. Possible hot shutdown.Fuel pump,engine control module,plugged gas cap,thermal pulse coil,bad connection at the kill switch.Test for spark when it quits to determine if it's fuel or electrical trouble.

[@dougwhetstone9392]

How do you repair one of the pins on a side panel that have broken off and lost?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Those are pretty difficult to recreate manually. I would buy a replacement boss like this one, and bond it with ABS cement (assuming they too are ABS): cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/side_cover_repair_studs/136689

[@pidjones]

Visit your friendly local Honda dealer's service department and ask them nicely to save you some wreck damage take-offs. Often, there are good pins and other special formed pieces in the lot they toss. My local dealer gave me the whole right side to a post-2011 GL1800!

[@ThePadutch]

Just inherited my dad's 97 GL1500 Goldwing that has set unused for 10 years in the garage. I got the tank cleaned out with Evapo-Rust and it did an amazing job of descaling but now I'm faced with the carbs. Since I have an entry level job with a wife and 2 young children, it goes without saying, there is NO MONEY to have a professional disassemble and clean those carbs and balance and I CERTAINLY do NOT posses that expertise! Is there anything I could safely either replace the gas with or mix in the gas that would possibly clean the carbs? you have a desperate man here. lol

[@GoldwingDocs]

Definitely post this in the forums, we have many people who can help: goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

[@pimpinB4pimpin]

What type of ABS pads are you using? Seems like there’s more than one type of ABS out there .

[@GoldwingDocs]

The pieces that I have been using successfully to repair and reinforce cracks for many years are these: www.polycase.com/c-1502

[@pimpinB4pimpin]

GoldwingDocs okay thanks 👌

[@neilo.hislop950]

2 part EPOXY . Devcon 2 ton comes to mind.

[@GoldwingDocs]

There are two reasons why repairing ABS with epoxy is not optimal. - Different stiffness. ABS flexes. A lot. Cured epoxy does not. When ABS flexes and an epoxy repair attached to it does not, it causes stress points on the ABS at the edges of the repair. This can cause cracks in the ABS, and can also cause the repair to fail, with the epoxy coming away from the ABS. - Different coefficients of expansion. ABS expands and contracts a large amount with fluctuations in temperature. Cured epoxy expands and contracts as well, but nowhere near as much as ABS. This puts stress against the two materials - with the end result again being cracks or failure of the repair. The best way to repair ABS is with ABS, as I explain and demonstrate in this video.

[@brentbauer8258]

Could have used a piece of ABS pipe

[@GoldwingDocs]

Yup! I've used exactly this before, and I wrote a DIY article on the GoldwingDocs site showing how I did it.

[@Cicakros696]

🆗👍

[@Habeebea]

The music is a bit strange on this video…why does it feel like I’m in a space flashback or something.

[@ydeardorff]

Thanks girl the video. But your should really he careful exposing yourself to MEKP... Nasty stuff

[@GoldwingDocs]

Avoid breathing the fumes, as you would with any solvent. MEK vapor is also extraordinarily explosive, so use only in a well-ventilated area.

[@ydeardorff]

@@GoldwingDocs you should also use glove mek is absorbed through the skin and destroys your liver faster than alcohol

[@robsonenduro3316]

nice but why that annoying pseudo "music"....

[@coryjohnson3743]

Great video thank you and this kind of info is why I joined goldwingdocs its a well of information